Maoists target rail links, bridges

PATNA - Maoist rebels in eastern India blew up a rail bridge, set off bombs on train tracks and attacked a police station just as the country was to begin its annual Republic Day celebrations.

The rebels blew up the bridge over a river near Gaya, about 100km from Patna, capital of impoverished Bihar state, police said.

They said about a dozen trains, including three super-fast Rajdhani trains, were stopped at various points as the rail tracks were completely smashed. The bridge was on one of the main rail links to east and northeastern India.

Prior to the blast, armed rebels stormed a small station at Rafiganj, and asked the railway staff to vacate the building before they planted at least two bombs on the tracks.

In neighbouring Jharkhand, Maoist rebels set off a series of explosions on road bridges and rail tracks, disrupting vehicle and train movement in several districts including on a highway connecting north and east India.

India is on high alert for its Republic Day, with tight security in New Delhi, Kashmir and the east.

- REUTERS